-Summons Judge in Fairness Dispute
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – The Supreme Court of Liberia has suspended all proceedings in the high-profile Capitol Building arson case. The stay order, issued on Monday, March 2, 2026, comes after former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and eight co-defendants filed an emergency petition challenging a controversial ruling by the trial judge.
The legal battle centers on a decision by Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie to disband the jury that had been empaneled to hear the case. The defendants’ legal team swiftly appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the move was procedurally flawed and a direct threat to their constitutional right to a fair and impartial trial.
In response to the petition, Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba issued a formal notice compelling Judge Willie to appear before the full bench for a conference. The Supreme Court has ordered a complete and immediate stay of all trial proceedings until the conference is held and the complex procedural issues raised by the defense are thoroughly examined.
The conference is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, at 2:00 p.m., effectively placing the brakes on what has been one of the most closely watched criminal trials in the nation.
